AGP flags Rs3.195 billion unadjusted advances in PBS census spending

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has flagged financial irregularities worth Rs3.195 billion in the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) over unadjusted advances paid to district administrations for census-related activities.

According to the audit report for 2025-26, covering financial year 2024-25, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, an attached department of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, violated Rule 668 of the Federal Treasury Rules, Volume-I.

The report said PBS paid Rs3.195 billion as advances to district administrations across all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, during financial year 2023-24.

The advances were issued against estimated expenses for stationery, other stores, hiring of vehicles, and training and remuneration of field staff for the 7th Population and Housing Census and the 7th Agricultural Census 2023-24.

Under Rule 668 of the Federal Treasury Rules, advances issued to government officers for departmental or allied purposes must be adjusted through detailed accounts supported by vouchers, or refunded where required.

However, the audit found that PBS neither obtained detailed adjustment accounts from the district administrations nor ensured the return of any unspent amount.

The Auditor General observed that the failure to obtain adjustment accounts and recover unspent funds was a violation of the relevant rules.

The audit recommended that PBS obtain detailed adjustment accounts from the district administrations and recover any unspent amounts at the earliest.